The orthopaedic team at BC Children's Hospital (BCCH) has received numerous awards and global recognition for their work and now they aim to create a standardized test for *Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) medical professionals will be able to utilize worldwide.

At birth, all newborns should be tested for DDH but there is currently no standardized testing and in some countries, little testing at all. When not properly diagnosed with DDH, children can go on to have numerous surgeries and physical limitations that will impact them for life, causing much suffering and costs to the medical system.

Newly formed "I'm a HIPpy" brings together a wealth of knowledge, research and experience supporting BCCH's Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, whose ongoing study, DDH registry and standardized testing has the potential to help children all over the world.

“Our ultimate mission is to improve hip health, mobility, and quality of life for children with DDH, with the hope of someday seeing a world free from the burden of this condition," says Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, BC Children's Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Associate Professor, UBC Department of Orthopaedics. “The dedicated ‘I'm a HIPpy' program has the ability and opportunity to assist us in creating a solution to DDH for children everywhere with a proper assessment tool and registry that can be shared and utilized by medical professionals wherever they may be in the world."

Dr. Mulpuri and his team have started work to establish best practices in screening and the early assessment of DDH as well as creating a registry that will be the first of its kind in the world, in both size and scope, that will span 16 centres in five countries, across four continents.

“Dr. Kishore Mulpuri is one of our most respected surgeons and world-renowned for his work in children's orthopaedics," said Dr. Anthony Cooper, BCCH Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon. “Dr. Mulpuri has been able to drastically improve the lives of thousands of children in his care. Now, thanks to I'm a HIPpy, he and his team have the potential to pass on knowledge and tools to save children from the pain and suffering from DDH, all over the world."

There are still resources and adequate funding needed to make the DDH registry and standardized testing, a broad reality.

Two events are being planned to help kick-start and support I'm a HIPpy:

Medical professionals, families who have benefited from the BCCH team and the public are welcome to join us at our inaugural gala in Vancouver on October 12, 2017 and more information can be found here: http://www.imahippy.org/gala.html

*Hip dysplasia, misaligned bones of the hip joint, is the most common condition occurring, on average in about 1 out of every 50 births worldwide. It affects all nationalities in both developed and developing nations. Children who receive delayed diagnosis and treatment may need to go through many surgeries throughout their childhood, and these surgeries are often very invasive and painful. If untreated altogether, osteoarthritis (a painful hip disorder) and other hip deformities can develop in young adulthood. Diagnosed early - ideally within the first four months of birth - it is largely treatable and reduces the impact of the condition. But for many communities, in BC included, early diagnosis is not happening. The solution is within reach: an improved universal screening method which leads to early diagnosis and treatment.

About Dr. Kishore Mulpuri and I'm a HIPpy

Dr. Kishore Mulpuri is a Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon in the BC Children's Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and an Associate Professor in the UBC Department of Orthopaedics. He is the Research Director of the International Hip Dysplasia Institute and is currently Medical Lead for the Child Health BC Hip Surveillance Program for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

I'm A HIPpy is a community of doctors, researchers, parents, and children who are coming together with the goal of improving hip health and mobility for all children - not only in British Columbia, but also nationally and globally - through research, education, and advocacy. We aim to promote physical activity, overall health and wellbeing, and the importance of keeping mobile and active regardless of physical limitations. For more information, visit http://www.imahippy.org